Devastated to see Posted on the Get well Facebook page that Tony had been moved to Hospice care and passed away this evening. His body could not recover from the induced coma after his pneumonia.

He was a man I will never forget as long I live. I will take me a long time to get over this. May his memories be a blessing to us all.

Just got the call..........RIP TONES

Wow. So shocked to hear, even after last nights notice.

Godspeed Tony.

Wow. T&P to family and friends......

Met Tony on a few occasions....very nice guy. Just terrible. He will not be forgotten.

I never met him but held him in the highest regard. I always wanted one of his paintings.

God speed Mr Sketzko.
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His presentations of bass fishing on the beach was the inspiration for me to move up here in 1982 from South Jersey. I'm in a total loss for words.

Fishing for 80''s on needles now. GoD speed
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I am still in shock. My deepest condolences to his son and family.

Thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends

Truly a class act that made a lasting impact on the sport and all that he crossed paths with.
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Rest In Peace Tony!
We will Miss you Brother!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h240/puppetFish/P1020691_zps9fb971c6.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/puppetFish/media/P1020691_zps9fb971c6.jpg.html)

So sad. He and his wife were always so pleasant when I encountered them at the shows. Sorry to all of his friends and family. Definitely a legend and the antithesis of an internet hero.

Another one gone too early. Rest easy my friend.

RIP Tony. The "Back" will never be the same without you

R.I.P.

Really bummed about this, I was thinking he could pull through this. The man had a gift, many talents and a genuine nice guy. another gone way too soon. RIP Tony :( Condolences to all his family and friends. He was loved by so many. I had some chances to fish with Tony and will always remember him. I heard the sad news last night at the MSBA meeting. I feel for his son, I hope he is doing ok with this.

RIP Tony.... Loved your art

T's&P's to his family, he was a greay guy.
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Gonna miss him. never gave me bad info when i snuck down his way at night. my thoughts and prayers to his family.

A true legend in the surf. RIP Tony. I'm sure he's going large on the other side.
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Such a great guy, T&P's to his family and close friends. Truly a legend who will be missed...so sad.

RIP Tony. Godspeed.

Only met him 2 -3 times. He was always nice to me.

RIP.

He was a great fisherman but an even better man. RIP.

Tonys passing is sad and Unfathomable considering the energy he exuded prior to falling ill.

As a father of young children I am very affected by this due to the age of his son. Just can't imagine dealing with that pain at his age. I realize I am fortunately insulated from feeling that type of sorrow at the age of 40. Feeling terrible for Anton III currently.
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What a shame, T&P to his family, only large now.

Wow. Have been following this for a while and I am saddened to hear this. Met him a few times. Interesting fellow, great fisherman. Prayers for his family.

I remember in 1981 reading the fisherman magazine like a bible the moment it came out each week. (living in Mystic back then) And hearing about his record fish. Fishing was outstanding in the fall back then. Lots of large bloated bass. IMO HE holds real all tackle the sb record. He caught his fish off the beach a feat far greater than any boat fish.

Sad news.

Sad news. A true Cape Cod Icon to be remembered

I saw Tony give a seminar at the PI Surfcasters back when I just started getting into surfcasting - he was such an exciting speaker and when I went to ask him some more questions after the talk he was just so gracious and offered up all kinds of great info. Rest and Peace and T&Ps to his family.

Tony's good friend Danya Mahota held his hand as he passed from this life into the next. She's been with him throughout.

RIP Tones. Prayers of comfort for his loved ones.

That Danya must be some kind of great lady...and a great friend. Condolences to her and to everyone involved. May I ask....how old is Tony's son?

He was a man I will never forget as long I live. I will take me a long time to get over this. May his memories be a blessing to us all.

Well said, Rob. While I never got a chance to fish with him, Tony always went out of his way to shoot the breeze with me any time we bumped into each other at the fishing shows, club meetings, etc. He was a good dude and another big loss to the surfcasting community.

wow so sad to hear, he was not in hospice for long. The man really had a gift, we fished a few times together and chatted more than a few. Very sad he leaves behind a son. Godspeed.

That Danya must be some kind of great lady...and a great friend. Condolences to her and to everyone involved. May I ask....how old is Tony's son?Larry,I believe Anton is 7yrs. old.

Oh my goodness. Such a young boy. I hope he is ok poor little guy. Hoping his support system is great. Thats so much for 7.

Few loved fishing the way he did. He was inspiring.

Not to bust balls but Danya is a guy....... Figured I'd clear that up.

RIP Tony,the sands of the Cape will surly miss your footsteps.

Never met the man but he was pretty goofy and happy go lucky on facebook. he seemed like a happy guy.
Rip.

Met him a few times, never fished Nauset without thinking of him even though i barely knew him. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends. A true legend and from personal experience a great guy!
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RIP Tony . My thoughts go out to his family and friends .

he was a gentleman and good fisherman. always pleasant to talk to.....

sad to hear of his passing